WINCHESTER 54 SUPER GRADE QUESTION|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hi Roger-

Like Bert said, the M54 Super Grade was only cataloged 1934-1936.  257 ROBERTS and 220 SWIFT were only cataloged in 1935-36.

These rifles were exactly like the M54 “NRA Standard Rifle” of the time except for two parts; the stock and floor plate.  Barrels were CMS (Winchester Proof Steel) with integral front sight ramp, same barrel contour as the early M70.  Stocks were of the M54 NRA style but with black fore end tip, oval cheekpiece, and different checkering.  The butt plates were the checkered steel “widow’s peak” type used subsequently on the M70.  Floor plates were stamped steel, like all M54s, but marked “SUPER GRADE”.  Like all M54s, none of these rifles were adapted to scope use.  No holes on the bridge, no bolt handle alterations for scope clearance, no stock notch for altered bolt handle.  No engine turned action components.  That didn’t even happen on the M70 until 1955.

The sights were the same as on the M54 NRA Standard Rifle.  Front sight was a Lyman 31W gold bead, 0.310″ tall.  The change to Redfield full gold front sight on Supers didn’t happen until the M70 came out.  Rear sights were either a Win 22G sporting sight on the barrel or a Lyman 48W receiver sight.  In the latter case, a Lyman 12S blank was installed in the barrel dovetail.  The earlier practice of providing a two-folding leaf Lyman 6W barrel sight with the Lyman 48W was abandoned when they went from the 1st Standard Rifle (the one with the Schnable fore end) to the NRA Standard Rifle circa 1932.  

I do not own a M54 Super Grade, so I cannot post photos.  I’d love to see pics of yours if you care to post them…

Hope this helps…

Lou